User's Manual

Chapter 6 Wireless 73
6.10.2.2 User Authentication
Authentication is the process of verifying whether a wireless device is allowed to use the wireless
network. You can make every user log in to the wireless network before using it. However, every
device in the wireless network has to support IEEE 802.1x to do this.
For wireless networks, you can store the user names and
passwords for each user in a RADIUS
server. This is a server used in businesses more than in homes. If you do not have a RADIUS server,
you cannot set up user names and passwords for your users.
Unauthorized wireless devices can still see the information
that is sent in the wireless network, even
if they cannot use the wireless network. Furthermore, there are ways for unauthorized wireless
users to get a valid user name and password. Then, they can use that user name and password to
use the wireless network.
6.10.2.3 Encryption
Wireless networks can use encryption to protect the information that is sent in the wireless
network. Encryption is like a secret code. If you do not know the secret code, you cannot
understand the message.
The types of encryption you can choose depend
on the type of authentication. (See Section 6.10.2.2
on page 73 for information about this.)
Table 24 Types of
Encryption for Each Type of Authentication
No Authentication RADIUS Server
Weakest No Security WPA
Static WEP
WPA-PSK
Strongest WPA2-PSK WPA2
For example, if the wireless network has a RADIUS server, you choose WPA2. If users do not log in to
the wireless network, you can choose no encryption, Static WEP or WPA2-PSK.
Usually, you should set up the str
ongest encryption that every device in the wireless network
supports. For example, suppose you have a wireless network with the Device and you do not have a
RADIUS server. Therefore, there is no authentication. Suppose the wireless network has two
devices. Device A only supports WEP, and device B supports WEP and WPA2. Therefore, you should
set up Static WEP in the wireless network.
 It is recommended that wireless networks use WPA2-PSK or WPA2 encryption. The other
types of encryption are better than none at all, but it is still possible for unauthorized
wireless devices to figure out the original information pretty quickly.